How to set up relief pitching

[atcjet]

I've notice some teams that have pitchers that never pitch, or have very low innings. maybe someone can explain how this can be done.
I will like to maximize the innings for my setup guys as well as my closer and would rather not pitch any other reliever.

Thanks in advance

[andycummings65]

I don't have alot of Strat experience, but I have asked for and read a lot of advice on these boards.

If you have a reliever who also has a starter rating, you can put him in the starting rotation under "Set your rotation" and then use your "per-game starters to set up your actual starting pitching. If HAL thinks your pitcher is in the rotation, he won't use him much (i preface everything i'm saying with "I think!" :wink: )

If your reliever doesn't have a starter rating and you still want to limit him, do that on his actual card Startegy Settings. You can set a pitcher to "avoid left-handed batters" and "avoid right-handed batters", "quick hook", and "avoid using before the 9th inning" and that should limit his usage.

Many guys I've asked advice from tell me if I want 2 RPs poitching most of my innings, set one for Set-up vs LHP and the other for set-up vs RHP and don't designate a closer. This should give most innings to those guys.
Some advice I've seen even says (and I'm trying it currently with a couple of teams with weak overall pens) list your stud RP as Set-up against both LHP & RHP.

I'm sure more experienced guys will probably reply to your poost, but unitl then at least you'll have something to read! :D

ac65

[cplake]

Well put andycummings65. That is how it is done. The starters you are trying to hide will occasionally come in to pitch, but these games are mostly long extra innings games when HAL has run out of other pitching options.

Another good way to prevent other relievers from entering the game is to pick up a couple of .50 pure starters (i.e., John Tudor) and place them in your starting rotation. They will rarely relieve since they never did during those seasons.

Always remember that you need to update your per-game starters or these guys you are trying to avoid will actually start when their turn comes up in the rotation. The other day I was hiding Ricky Horton in my starting rotation and forgot to set my per-games and Koufax missed a start. Needless to say, Horton got spanked. :roll:

[Palanion]

Another thing that can help you maximize your pen usage is to understand HAL (can we really?) a little. The individual player card settings CAN confuse HAL. Too many settings can actual negate them, so it seems. The more guys in the bullpen, the more likely you will get the matchups you desire, plus fatigued pitchers won't hurt you (though backups still probably will :)).

I have gotten in the habit of having one bona fide closer, two setup RPs, and two others. The closer does not have to have a closer rating (yes HAL does use the rating's existence, though not the number itself in ATGII) as long as no other RP has one for HAL to favor.

But, I like my closer to have one, ie Joe Beggs. Then my setup guys (no CL rating) are selected to face their respective preference. I will have another RP for "mop up", again without a CL rating.

Lastly, my fifth RP is by backup closer. He is set to be a middle/short RP with his settings and HAS a CL rating, however he is the same handedness as my closer (with Beggs example, ie Mike Garman). Because he is not listed as closer and is the same handedness, he will only close when my lead closer is fatigued.

For a list of RPs with closer ratings, check my blog.